Multi-use electronically controlled spectacles

ABSTRACT

Significantly faster state transitioning time between the optimal optical density for viewing 2D Movies as 3D movies through Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles can be achieved by using multiple layers (multi-layer) of electronically controlled variable tint materials to fabricate the right and left lenses of the 3Deeps spectacles. The use of multi-layered lenses may result in as much as a 50% decrease in transition time between states. The invention also relates to Multi-Use Electronically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles that house within a single spectacle frame several layers of optoelectronic material in which each layer of electronically controlled relates to a different method of viewing.

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/938,495 filed Nov. 3, 2010, which was a Divisional application ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/555,545 filed on Sep. 8, 2009, nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,850,304, which in turn was a Continuation-in-partapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/274,752, filed onNov. 20, 2008, which is in turn a CIP application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/928,152, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,508,485, filed onOct. 30, 2007 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/372,723, filed onMar. 10, 2006, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/664,369, filed on Mar. 23, 2005 and is a Continuation-in-part of theU.S. application Ser. No. 10/054,607, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,030,902, filedon Jan. 22, 2002, which in turn claims priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/263,498, filed on Jan. 23, 2001. The basedapplications, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/928,152 and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/372,723, also claim priority of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/373,702, filed Mar. 10, 2006, whichclaims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/661,847, filed onMar. 15, 2005. The entire contents of each of the above applications arebeing herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the field of motion pictures and to a systemcalled 3 Deeps that will allow almost any motion picture filmed in 2D(single image) to be viewed with the visual effect of 3-dimensions whenviewed through 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. More specifically, theinvention relates to the use of multiple layers electronicallycontrolled variable tint materials to fabricate the right and leftlenses of the 3Deep Filter Spectacle to achieve faster transition timesthan may be achieved by the use of only a single layer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention directs to Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectaclesfor viewing 2D movies as 3D movies. Previously, related patentapplications for Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectacles havebeen disclosed that use electronically controlled variable tintmaterials for fabrication of the right and left lenses of the viewingspectacles. Generally, electronically controlled variable tint materialschange the light transmission properties of the material in response tovoltage applied across the material, and include but are not limited toelectrochromic devices, suspended particle devices, and polymerdispersed liquid crystal devices. Such material provides preciseelectronic control over the amount of light transmission.

3Deeps spectacles adjust the optical properties so that the left andright lenses of the 3Deeps spectacles take on one of 3 states insynchronization to lateral motion occurring within the movie; aclear-clear state (clear left lens and clear right lens) when there isno lateral motion in successive frames of the motion picture; aclear-darkened state when there is left-to-right lateral motion insuccessive frame of the motion picture; and, a darkened-clear state whenthere is right-to-left lateral motion in successive frames of the motionpicture.

We note that ‘clear’ is a relative term and even ‘clear’ glass willblock a small percentage of light transmission. A clear lens is then onethat transmits almost all light through the material.

Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectacles are improved 3Deepsspectacles in that the darkened state continuously changes to take anoptical density to provide the maximum Pulfrich stereoscopic 3D illusionoptimized for (a) the speed and direction of lateral motion, and (b) thetransition time of the electrochromic material from which the lenses arefabricated.

The problem addressed by the preferred embodiment of this invention isthat of slow transition time when transitioning between differentoptical densities of the lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter spectacles. Optimal control of Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter spectacles is achieved by adjusting the right- and left-lenses tothe optimal optical density synchronized to maximize the 3D effect ofthe Pulfrich illusion between frames of the motion picture with respectto the transition time properties of the electrochromic material. As anexample, a movie that is shown on a 100 Hz digital TV may require asmany as 100 different optical density controlled lens transitions persecond to optimally synchronize to the speed and direction of lateralmotion in the motion picture. Most often the transitions insynchronization to the movie are small minor adjustments to the opticaldensity of the lens that can be accomplished in the allotted time. Aproblem arises when 3Deeps Filter spectacles are fabricated fromelectronically controlled variable tint materials that are incapable ofthe ‘fast’ transition times that are sometimes required as for instancebetween scene changes. While electronically controlled variable tintmaterials may be able to achieve fast transitions from one opticaldensity state to another optical density state that are ‘near’ or‘close’ to each other, it may be incapable of transition between opticaldensity states that are far apart. However, faster transition timesusing any electronically controlled variable tint material can beachieved by the simple expedient of using 2 or more layers—ormulti-layers—of such material. Using multiple layers of material doesresult in a darker clear state, but the difference is minimal and barelyperceptible, so the tradeoff between a slightly darker clear state andfaster transition time is considered and warranted.

Another problem relates to the ‘cycle life’ (number of clear-dark cyclesbefore failure) of some optoelectronic materials that may be limited.The ‘cycle life’ may be increased by using multiple layers ofoptoelectronic materials since the electric potential applied to thematerial to achieve a target optical density will be for a shorterperiod of time.

Another problem addressed by an alternate embodiment of this inventionis that different methods of 3D require distinct viewing spectacles.However, with electronically controlled viewing spectacles, a singleviewing spectacle can be switch selectable for different opticaleffects. For instance, to view a 3D movie that uses the anaglyph methodto achieve 3D stereoscopy requires use of a different pair of spectacles(red-blue lenses) than that used for 3Deeps viewing. Other preferredembodiments of the invention relate to multi-use of the spectacles. Theuse of multi-layers of electronically controlled variable tint materialswhere different layers relate to different viewing methods, allow asingle spectacle to be selectable to achieve different optical effects.For instance, while one or more layers of electronically controlledvariable tint materials may be used for Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter spectacles, another layer of materials may be used for anaglyph3D spectacles. This would extend the use of a single pair spectacles soit can be selectively used for either Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter spectacles viewing of 2D filmed movies or for anaglyph viewing of3D filmed movies. It would also allow switching within any motionpicture between 2D and 3D for a specific method, and/or switching withinany motion picture between different methods of 3D. Till now a 3D motionpicture may have been filmed in its entirety as anaglyph. With thisinvention the motion picture could have been filmed in part 2D with themulti-layer specs then set by signalization to a clear-clear state, andanother part of the motion picture could have been filmed in 3D anaglyphwith the multi-layer spectacles then set by signalization to a red-bluestate. In another embodiment the picture may be filmed in part in 2D and3D anaglyph, and shown to viewers in 2D, 3D using 3Deeps spectacle, and3D anaglyph with the spectacles set accordingly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiment 1

An optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles forviewing a 2D video with 3D effects, comprising:

a) a right and a left lens each made of multiple layers of opticalmaterial with at least one layer having optical density continuouslyadjustable;

b) a continuous optical density signal receiving unit for receivingcontinuous optical density values based on motion in a sequence offrames in the 2D video; and

c) a control unit transforming said continuous optical density signalsinto continuous electric value to control the optically adjustablelayer's optical property in order to achieve corresponding opticaldensity for each lens when the sequence of frames is displayed.

Embodiment 2

The optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles ofEmbodiment 1, wherein the control unit applies the same electric valueto all optically adjustable layers in responding to a given opticaldensity signal.

Embodiment 3

The optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles ofEmbodiment 1, wherein the control unit coordinately applies differentelectric value to individual optically adjustable layer in responding toa given optical density signal to achieve corresponding optical densityfor each lens.

Embodiment 4

The optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles ofEmbodiment 1, wherein the signal receiving unit is a wireless receiver.

Embodiment 5

The optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles ofEmbodiment 1, further comprising a control unit controlling the opticalproperties of one or more layers independent from the correspondingoptical density signal to achieve additional functions.

Embodiment 6

The optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles ofEmbodiment 1, where the lenses further comprising one or more layersmade from optical material not effected by an electric potential.

Embodiment 7

The optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles ofEmbodiment 1, wherein the lenses are made of a material havingcontinuous optical density adjustable capacity, which is selected from agroup consisting of: electrochromatic material, LCD, suspended particledevice, and polarizable optical material.

Embodiment 8

The optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles ofEmbodiment 7, wherein the material is electrochromatic material and thecontrol mechanism is based on electric voltages.

Embodiment 9

The optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles ofEmbodiment 1, wherein one of the layers is made of anelectropolychromism device.

Embodiment 10

The optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles ofEmbodiment 1, wherein the material of each layer have different opticalproperty.

Embodiment 11

The optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles ofclaim 1, wherein the control unit further comprise an overwriting switchselection for controlling optical properties of the lens.

Embodiment 12

The optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles ofEmbodiment 1, wherein the multi-layered lenses are in the form ofclip-on lenses that readily fit over normal prescription lenses.

Embodiment 13

The optical-density-continuous-adjustable Pulfrich Filter Spectacles ofEmbodiment 1, wherein the control unit further comprise a defaultsetting switch to compensate for the ambient light or the opticaldegradation of the optical material.

Embodiment 14

A method for controlling the Pulfrich Filter Spectacles for viewing a 2Ddigital video in MPEG format with 3D effects, comprising:

extracting a motion estimation value associated with a frame in saidvideo;

determining a luminance value for the frame based on said motionestimation value;

calculating an optical density value corresponding to said luminancevalue and motion estimation value for a lens;

transmitting said optical density values to the Pulfrich FilterSpectacles;

and

computing an electric value based on the transmitted optical densityvalues that is used to control the Pulfrich Filter Spectacles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Significantly faster state transitioning time between the optimaloptical density for viewing 2D Movies as 3D movies through ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles can be achieved by using multiplelayers (multi-layer) of electronically controlled variable tintmaterials to fabricate the right and left lenses of the 3Deepsspectacles. The use of multi-layered lenses may result in as much as a50% decrease in transition time between states.

Spectacles for viewing 2D movies in 3D have been described previously inearlier related patent applications. The first version was called 3DeepsFilter Spectacles and the later improved spectacles were calledContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles optimally adjust the optical density ofelectronically controllable variable tint left and right lenses insynchronization with a 2D movie so as to maximize the Pulfrichstereoscopic optical illusion. Numerous electronically controllablevariable tint materials are well known, and have different operatingcharacteristics. In particular, the lenses can change from a clear stateto a controllable darker or transparent state in which only a percentageof visible light is allowed to pass—that is an operating characteristiccurve of transmissivity (x-axis) versus transition time (y-axis) when aspecified voltage potential is applied across the electronicallycontrollable variable tint device.

The invention discloses the use of fabricating the lenses of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles from stacked or multiplelayers of electronically controllable variable tint devices. By thissimple means the time to transition to any state is significantlyreduced. In order to achieve such reduction the control unit of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles must also be modified todrive voltage across multiple rather than just a single layer ofoptoelectronic lens material. In the preferred embodiment of theinvention, a specific optoelectronic material knows as electrochromicsare used to fabricate the lenses. However, any optoelectronic materialthat electronically controls the transmission of light through the saidmaterial may be utilized.

The invention uses a typical electrochromic Operating Characteristic(OC) curve relating transmissivity to transition time. In a secondpreferred embodiment, the same material is used for each of 2 layers ofthe multi-layer lens, and the same identical voltage is applied to eachof the layers. The Operating Characteristic curve for the 2-plymulti-layered Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles shows asmuch as a 50% reduction in transition time to a specified darkening.This is greatly advantageous to the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles.

A third preferred embodiment of the invention relates to Multi-UseElectrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectaclesthat use only a single layer of optoelectronic material. In thisembodiment, the previously unused state in which both the right and leftlenses are set to a darkened state is switch selectable so the 3DeepsFilter Spectacles can operate as sunglasses.

A fourth preferred embodiment of the invention relates to Multi-UseElectrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectaclesthat house within a single spectacle frame several layers ofoptoelectronic material in which each layer of electronically controlledmaterial relates to a different method of viewing. Another preferredembodiment of the invention again uses electrochromic material. Onelayer of the multi-use 3Deeps spectacles has a clear and controllableneutral filtering state and the second layer of the multi-use 3Deepsspectacles has a clear and blue electrochromic right lens and a clearand red electrochromic left lens. The lenses are then switchcontrollable as either Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles(first layer) or switch selectable as well known anaglyph 3D spectacles(second layer). Such dual use spectacles are termed Multi-UseElectrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles.Alternate embodiments of the Multi-Use Electrically ControlledContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter may use other switch selectablelayers of materials that control different properties of light to singlyor in combination so that the spectacles can be used to view 2D moviesin 3D using Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, 3D moviesusing the anaglyph method, 3D movies using polarized lenses, 3D moviesusing the Intru3D method, 3D movies using the shutler glass method,vision correction, sunglasses, or other optoelectronic controllableproperty of light. Multi-Use Electrically Controlled ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter spectacles would allow viewing of movies by anyof the 3D) methods to be combined with electronically controllablevisions correction.

Many advantages, features, and applications of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description of the invention thatis provided in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles.

FIG. 2 a shows a left lens of Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles fabricated from a single layer of electrochromic material.

FIG. 2 b shows details of an electrochromic device for fabricating theelectronically controlled variable tint material of the right and leftlenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the operation of the Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the Control Unit of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles fabricated from multiplelayers of electrochromic material.

FIG. 6 a shows a left lens of Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles fabricated from multiple layers of electrochromic material.

FIG. 6 b shows details of a multiple layered electrochromic device forfabricating the electronically controlled variable tint material of theright and left lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the operation of the Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles using a multiple layered electrochromic devicefor fabricating the electronically controlled variable tint material ofthe right and left lenses.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of the Control Unit of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles using a multiple layeredelectrochromic device for fabricating the electronically controlledvariable tint material of the right and left lenses.

FIG. 9 is a transition time curve for a single layer of electrochromicmaterial with transition time ds a function of transmissivity.

FIG. 10 is a transition time curve for a double layer (multi-layer) ofelectrochromic material with transition time as a function oftransmissivity.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment of themulti-use Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles withsingle-layered lenses.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the operation of the multi-use ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles with single-layered lenses.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of the Control Unit of themulti-use Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles withsingle-layered lenses.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the fourth preferred embodiment of themulti-use Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles withmulti-layered lenses.

FIG. 15 a shows a left lens of Multi-Use Electrically ControlledContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles fabricated from multiplelayers of electrochromic materials.

FIG. 15 b shows details of a Multi-Use electrochromic device forfabricating the electronically controlled variable tint material of theright and left lenses of the Multi-Use Electrically Controlled 3DeepsContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles using multi-layeredlenses.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the operation of the multi-use ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles with multi-layered lenses.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the operation of the Control Unit of theMulti-Use Electrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles with multi-layered lenses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments ofthe invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

To help understand the invention the following summary of inventive workfrom the previous related patent disclosures is provided. The purpose ofthis section then is to explain the ground that has been covered inprevious related patents and then identify the problems that thiscurrent patent application addresses and solves.

The Pulfrich Illusion

There is a well-studied stereoscopic illusion called the Pulfrichillusion in which the illusion of 3D is invoked by differentiallyshading the left and right eye. Anyone watching TV through specialviewing glasses can see the illusion. One way to construct the specialPulfrich viewing glasses is to take sunglasses and remove the left lens,so that the left eye views the TV screen unobstructed and the right eyeviews the TV screen through the darkened sunglass lens. With suchPulfrich viewing spectacles all screen motion from left-to-right will bein 3D. The illusion is based on basic eye mechanics—the shaded lenscauses the eye to send the image to the brain later than unshaded eye.If the time difference is 1/10 second than on a 100 Hz digital TV thedifference is 10 screen images, which is enough to produce a vividillusion of 3D in the presence of moderate lateral motion. The imageprocessing part of the brain puts the two disparate images together asdepth. This is a pure optical illusion that has nothing to do with how amotion picture is filmed.

The Pulfrich illusion has been used for more than 50 years to produce 3Dmovies, using cardboard viewing spectacles with a clear left lens anddark transparent right lens. Pulfrich 3D motion pictures have beenproduced including such offerings as the 1971 feature length movie “I,Monster” Starring Christopher Lee as well as selected scenes from the1997 second season finale of the network TV sitcom “Third Rock From TheSun”. However there is a problem in that the special Pulfrich viewingglasses impose severe constraints on both the movie and viewing venue.

More specifically, the problem then is that for any special viewingspectacles with lenses of a fixed optical density, the lighting, andspeed and direction of screen motion have to be in exactly properalignment to get an optimal 3D effect that is comparable to other 3Dmethods such as anaglyph (blue-red viewing spectacles). That conjunctionof light and motion rarely happens so Pulfrich is not considered aviable approach to 3D movies or TV. Movies made for viewing using thePulfrich illusion are best viewed in darkened venues, and if the samemovie is viewed in a brightly lit venue the illusion is diminished ormay even totally disappear.

These problems could be addressed if dynamic Pulfrich viewing spectaclescould be constructed that self-configured themselves to the light andmotion instant in a motion picture. However, such dynamic viewingspectacles still must be totally passive to the viewer.

3Deeps Systems Proposed in the Earliest Related Patent Applications

Early solutions provided dynamic Pulfrich viewing spectacles (called3Deeps viewing spectacles) that could be synchronized to the movies.These solutions utilized neutral optoelectronic lenses (transmissivityof visible light) that are controllable by an electric potential. Thelenses could take any of three states; clear left lens and clear rightlens (clear-clear) when there is no screen motion; clear left lens anddark right lens (clear-dark) when screen motion is from left to right;and, dark left lens and clear right lens (dark-clear) when the screenmotion is from right to left. Wired or wireless signals (Infrared,radio, or sound) synchronized the 3Deeps viewing spectacles to themovies. These early solutions also addressed how to calculate thelateral motion between frames of a motion picture and thesynchronization controllers that calculated and transmitted the motionvector information to the 3Deeps viewing spectacles. The proposedsolution had significant benefits and advantages including:

-   -   Every movie ever made—without additional alteration or        processing—could be viewed in 3D when wearing 3Deeps spectacles    -   A movie could be viewed simultaneously by viewers with or        without 3Deeps spectacles, and    -   No changes are required to any broadcast standards, cinema        formatting, viewing venue, or viewing monitors

It should be understood, that the natural view of the world thatviewer's expect of cinema is 3-dimensional, and to any movie viewer withbinocular vision, it is the screen flatness of 2D that is strange andunnatural. From the earliest days of motion pictures cinematographershave used light and lateral movement as cues to help the viewertranslate 2D screen flatness into their binocular vision expectations.But light and lateral motion are precisely the factors that elicit thePulfrich illusion, so when movies are produced, cinematographers andlighting specialists stress precisely the features that the 3Deepssystems can translate into the natural sense of depth that the viewer isexpecting. That is to say, since the advent of moving pictures,filmmakers have been unknowingly preparing their movies for advantageous3D viewing using 3Deeps spectacles.

However, the early 3Deeps spectacles did not address how to calculate anoptical density for the lenses of the 3Deeps spectacles that wouldmaximize the Pulfrich stereoscopic illusion.

A Second Solution—Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles

The most recent related 3Deeps patent applications disclose how toconstruct better 3Deeps viewing spectacles that maximize the Pulfrichstereoscopic illusion and are referred to as Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles. To construct these improved 3Deeps viewingspectacles we utilize the body of existing knowledge about (1) the humaneye retinal reaction time, and (2) the operating characteristics of theoptoelectronic material of the 3Deeps lens.

Retinal Reaction Time

While each eye is stimulated by light continuously, there is a timedelay called the retinal reaction time until the information istriggered and transmitted to the brain. Retinal reaction time isprimarily dependent on the amount of light (brightness) that falls onthe eye. For instance, in the presence of the bright light of a ‘ClearSky at noon’ the retinal reaction time is about 100 milliseconds (1/10-th of a second) and the eye will trigger about every 100milliseconds and send the image from the eye to the brain. In thepresence of light from a ‘Clear Sky’ the retinal reaction time isslower—about 200 milliseconds. And in the presence of light thatapproximates a ‘Night sky with a full moon’ the retinal reaction time isslower still—almost 400 milliseconds. The darker is the illumination,the retinal reaction time become increasingly slower.

While the retinal reaction mechanisms are independent for each eye, innormal viewing both eyes are unobstructed and the luminance value is thesame and the eyes trigger at about the same time. However, if one eye isshaded so the eyes have unequal retinal illuminance, then the two eyeswill trigger at different speeds and different times. Using lens filterswith different optical density shading causes this to happen and resultsin a difference in retinal reaction time for each eye. The difference inretinal reaction time between the two eyes is one factor in the commonlyaccepted explanation for the Pulfrich illusion.

The second factor is simultaneity. The brain will take two eye imagesand put them together in a ‘simultaneous’ fashion to generate the imagethat we perceive. Thus in normal viewing, if both eyes see the same 2Dimage without any filtered obstruction, the brain gets two identicalimages and there is no information by which the brain may infer depth.However, if one eye is differently shaded, than the eyes send twodifferent images to the brain, and the mind places them together andinterprets the two different images as depth. These two factors, retinalreaction time, and simultaneity are the two factors that explainPulfrich illusion.

If the scene being viewed is static with no moving object, then the‘instant’ image of the unshaded eye and the ‘lagging image’ of theshaded eye will still see the same image and the retinal reaction delayand simultaneity factors will not provide any depth information. Thus,the Pulfrich illusion does not work in the absence of motion. But if thescene being viewed has horizontal motion (also called lateral motion)then the shaded eye will see an image that is ‘lagging’ the instantimage. In this case the ‘lagging image’ caused by retinal reaction delayof the shaded eye, when juxtaposed with the ‘instant image’ perceived bythe unshaded eye will, through the mechanism of simultaneity, bereconciled by the brain as a perception of depth. This is the Pulfrichillusion.

Well-researched retinal reaction curves describing this phenomenon areavailable and are used by the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles to select the optical density of the lens to maximize thePulfrich illusion. This is done in the following exemplary manner. Firstwe measure the ambient light optical density and use that with theretinal reaction curve to get the retinal delay for the eye viewingthrough the ‘clear’ lens. We then use the direction of lateral motion todetermine which of the right and left lenses is clear (with the otherlens the dark lens.) If the lateral motion is from the left-to-rightdirection on the screen then the ‘clear’ lens of the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles will be the left lens, and if thelateral motion is in the opposite direction then the ‘clear’ lens willbe the right lens.

To set the optical density of the dark lens we now utilize the magnitudeof the motion. As an example, if lateral motion of the major object inthe frame is measured as moving at 0.25 inches per frame then it willtake 10 frames to move 2.5 inches—the average inter-ocular distance. Inthis case the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles use theretinal reaction curve to determine an optical density setting for thedarkened lens so the motion-direction eye will see a lagging image thatis 10 frames behind that of the unshielded eye. If the TV screen has arefresh rate of 100 Hz then 10 frames is precisely 100 milliseconds, soif the ambient light is that of a ‘Clear Sky at noon’ with a retinalreaction time of 100 milliseconds, then we would set the dark lens tohave an optical density of a ‘Clear Sky’ which corresponds to a retinalreaction time of 200 milliseconds. Depending upon the ambientillumination, the optical density of the dark lens can always becalculated and precisely determined from the retinal reaction curve andthe objective function that maximizes the Pulfrich illusion.

Once the optimal optical density values are known for the lenses of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, the OperatingCharacteristic curve of the optoelectronic material of the lenses can beutilized to apply the correct potential to the lenses so the lenses ofthe viewing spectacles have the optical density so the movie is viewedwith a maximal Pulfrich stereoscopic illusion.

In the most recent previous patent application Retinal reaction time isused to calculate the optimal optical density value (a firstoptimization) and the operating characteristic curve is used for controlover the lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles (asecond optimization). However, other problems are not address and arethe subject of this pending patent application.

Problems Addressed by this Patent Application

There is a problem that many optoelectronic materials often do notchange state instantaneously. While frame-to-frame display of a motionpicture may be 100 Hz (100 frames a second or 10 milliseconds per frame)a typical optoelectronic material made from electrochromic material mayhave a ‘slow’ response time and take several seconds to change from aclear state to a much darker state. A second problem may relate to alimited ‘cycle life’ (number of clear-dark cycles) of someoptoelectronic materials that may be limited. Both of these problems canbe addressed by using multiple layers of optoelectronic material infabricating the lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles, and this patent discloses how to implement such a solution.Both problems relate to the viewing spectacle side of the solution thatimplements the already independently calculated optical density thatmaximizes the 3D Pulfrich stereoscopic illusion.

Now, before providing the detailed description of the invention, someadditional pertinent background is provided.

A. Variable Tint and Optoelectronic Devices

Optoelectronic devices (or materials) that control the transmission oflight through the device may be referred to as a variable tint device orvariable tint material. Neutral variable tint devices reduce thetransmission of light approximately equally along the entire spectrum ofvisible light and thus do not noticeably distort color. Other variabletint devices may allow transmission of light in a restricted spectrum ofvisible light and block light outside the restricted range, such as bluevariable tint devices that allows the passage of light in the bluespectrum (λ˜490-450 nm). Devices that control properties of light otherthan the transmission of light through the medium will be referred tosimply as optoelectronic devices.

B. Methods of Producing 3-D Illusion in Moving Pictures

Motion pictures are images in 2-dimensions. However, several methodshave been developed for providing the illusion of depth in motionpictures. These include the Anaglyph, Intru3D (also called ColorCode3D), IMAX (Polaroid), shutter glasses and Pulfrich 3-dimensionalillusions.

Anaglyph 3-Dimensional illusion

“Anaglyph” refers to the red/blue (red/cyan or red/green) glasses thatare used in comic books and in cereal packets etc. The glasses consistof nothing more than one piece of transparent blue plastic and one pieceof transparent red plastic. These glasses are easy to manufacture andhave been around since the 1920s.

An anaglyph stereo picture starts as a normal stereo pair of images, twoimages of the same scene, shot from slightly different positions. Oneimage is then made all green/blue and the other is made all red, the twoare then seen together.

When the image is viewed through the glasses the red parts are seen byone eye and the other sees the green/blue parts. The visual cortex ofthe brain fuses this into perception of a three-dimensional scene orcomposition. This effect is fairly simple to do with photography, andextremely easy to do on a PC, and it can even be hand-drawn. The mainlimitation of this technique is that because the color is used in thisway, the true color content of the image is usually lost and theresulting images are usually in black and white. As the colors competefor dominance they may appear unstable and monochromatic. A few imagescan retain a resemblance to their original color content, but thephotographer has to be very selective with color and picture content.

Intru3D—Intel

Intel's Intru3D uses the ColorCode 3D method that is an update to themore familiar Anaglyph method of 3D stereoscopy. It is similar to theAnaglyph method of stereoscopy but rather than make one image green/blueand the other image red, Intru3D records the two images as amber andblue. This provides generally truer color than typical Red/Blueanaglyphs, particularly where Red image components are concerned.

IMAX (Polaroid) 3-Dimensional Illusion

IMAX creates the illusion of 3-dimensional depth by recording the motionpictures on two separate rolls of film with two camera lenses torepresent the left and right eyes. These lenses are separated by aninterocular distance of about 2.5 in., the average distance between ahuman's eyes. By recording on two separate rolls of film for the leftand right eyes, and then projecting them simultaneously, IMAX can createa 3-Dimensional illusion for viewers.

IMAX uses either of two different methods to create the 3D illusion inthe theatre. The first method relies on polarization. During projection,the left eye image is polarized in one direction and the right eye imagepolarized perpendicular to the left eye image as they are projected onthe IMAX screen. By wearing special viewing glasses with lensespolarized in their respective directions to match the projection, theleft eye image can be viewed only by the left eye since the polarizationof the left lens will cancel out that of the right eye projection, andthe right eye image can be viewed only by the right eye since thepolarization of the right lens will cancel out that of the left eyeprojection.

IMAX also uses another method—shutter glasses—for 3D viewing. Thismethod of 3D projection involves the use of LCD shutter glasses that usesimilarly polarized lenses for both eyes. The left and right eye imagesare projected on the viewing screen in alternate frames. These LCDshutter glasses are synchronized to the projector. The projectordisplays the left and right images that are momentarily viewed by theappropriate eye by allowing that LCD lens to become transparent whilethe other remains opaque. That is when the left eye frame is projectedon the screen, the left lens of the shutter glasses becomes transparentand the right lens of the shutter glasses becomes opaque. When the nextframe is projected on the screen—a frame for the right eye—the left lensbecomes opaque and the right lens becomes transparent.

In both the IMAX 3D systems only the correct eye is allowed to view thecorrect image while the other eye is ‘blinded’. The ‘transparent’ stateis actually quite dark, and occludes about 35% of the projected light tothe viewing eye while the non-viewing eye is supposed to view no imageat all.

Shutter Glasses

Different formulations of shutter glasses have been implemented over thelast few decades, but without much large-scale commercial success. Ashutter glasses solution generally require two images for each image ofvideo, with shutter covering or uncovering each eye of the viewer. Thisallows one eye to see, than the other, with the shutters timed andsynchronized with the video so that each eye only sees the imageintended for it.

Some shutter glass systems are wired to a control device while someshutter glass systems use wireless infrared signaling to control thestate of the lenses.

CrystalEyes is the name of a stereoscopic viewing product produced bythe StereoGraphics Corporation of San Rafael, Calif. They arelightweight, wireless liquid crystal shuttering eyewear that are used toallow the user to view alternating field sequential stereo images. Thesource of the images alternately displays a left-eye view followed by aright-eye view. CrystalEyes' shutters can block either of the user'seyes so that only images appropriate for each eye are allowed to pass. Awireless infrared communications link synchronizes the shuttering of theeyewear to the images displayed on the monitor or other viewing screen.CrystalEyes shutter glasses, weight only 3.3 ounces, use two 3Vlithium/manganese dioxide batteries, and have a battery life of 250hours. This demonstrates the robustness and potential of any viewerglass solution.

Because shutter glasses only expose each eye to every other frame, therefresh rate of the video is effectively cut in half. On a TV withrefresh rates of 30 frames per second (for an NTSC TV) or 25 frames persecond (for a PAL TV), this is hard on the eyes because of the continualflicker. This problem is eliminated with higher refresh rates, such ason PC monitors.

C. Electronically Controlled Variable Tint Materials

Numerous materials have been identified that have the property that thetransmission of light through the material can be controlled by theapplication of an electronic voltage or potential across the material.

These include the classes of materials typically named electrochromic,suspended particle and polymer dispersed liquid crystal devices. Withineach class of electronically controlled variable tint material there arenumerous formularies. Other classes of materials may be found in thefuture. Any material for which the transmission of light or otheroptical property of light can be controlled by an electronic potentialmay be utilized in the invention.

Electrochromic Devices (EDs)

electrochromic devices change light transmission properties in responseto voltage and thus allow control of the amount of light passing throughthe material. A burst of electricity is required for changing the tintof the material, but once the change has been occurred, no electricityis needed for maintaining the particular shade that has been reached.Electrochromic materials provide visibility even in the darkened state,and thus preserves visible contact with the outside environment. It hasbeen used in small-scale applications such as rearview mirrors.Electrochromic technology also finds use in indoor applications, forexample, for protection of objects under the glass of museum displaycases and picture frame glass from the damaging effects of the UV andvisible wavelengths of artificial light. Recent advances inelectrochromic materials pertaining to transition-metal hydrideelectrochromics have led to the development of reflective hydrides,which become reflective rather than absorbing, and thus switch statesbetween transparent and mirror-like.

Suspended Particle Devices (SPD)

In suspended particle devices (SPDs), a thin film laminate of rod-likeparticles suspended in a fluid is placed between two glass or plasticlayers, or attached to one layer. When no voltage is applied, thesuspended particles are arranged in random orientations and tend toabsorb light, so that the glass panel looks dark (or opaque), blue or,in more recent developments, gray or black color. When voltage isapplied, the suspended particles align and let light pass. SPDs can bedimmed, and allow instant control of the amount of light and heatpassing through. A small but constant electrical current is required forkeeping the SPD in its transparent stage.

Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Devices (PDLCs)

In polymer dispersed liquid crystal devices (PDLCs), liquid crystals aredissolved or dispersed into a liquid polymer followed by solidificationor curing of the polymer. During the change of the polymer from a liquidto solid, the liquid crystals become incompatible with the solid polymerand form droplets throughout the solid polymer. The curing conditionsaffect the size of the droplets that in turn affect the final operatingproperties of the variable tint material. Typically, the liquid mix ofpolymer and liquid crystals is placed between two layers of glass orplastic that include a thin layer of a transparent, conductive materialfollowed by curing of the polymer, thereby forming the basic sandwichstructure of the smart window. This structure is in effect a capacitor.Electrodes from a power supply are attached to the transparentelectrodes. With no applied voltage, the liquid crystals are randomlyarranged in the droplets, resulting in scattering of light as it passesthrough the smart window assembly. This results in the translucent,“milky white” appearance. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes,the electric field formed between the two transparent electrodes on theglass cause the liquid crystals to align, thereby allowing light to passthrough the droplets with very little scattering, resulting in atransparent state. The degree of transparency can be controlled by theapplied voltage. This is possible because at lower voltages, only a fewof the liquid crystals are able to be aligned completely in the electricfield, so only a small portion of the light passes through while most ofthe light is scattered. As the voltage is increased, fewer liquidcrystals remain out of alignment thus resulting in less light beingscattered. It is also possible to control the amount of light and heatpassing through when tints and special inner layers are used. Most ofthe devices offered today operate in on or off states only, even thoughthe technology to provide for variable levels of transparency is easilyapplied. This technology has been used in interior and exterior settingsfor privacy control (for example conference rooms, intensive-care areas,bathroom/shower doors) and as a temporary projection screen. A newgeneration of switchable film and glass called 3G Switchable Film isavailable from Scienstry, using a non-linear technology to increasetransparency, lower the required driving voltage and extend thelifetime.

A First Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

FIG. 1 is a perspective view 100 of the preferred embodiment of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. It is comprised of aframe 101 that is used as the housing for the lenses and controlcircuitry. Such frames are a well-known means by which lenses can befixed before a person's eyes for viewing. On the frame 101 is batterydevice 104 to power all circuitry of the Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles. Also, on the frame 101 is a receiver 102 labeled ‘Rx’that is powered by the battery 104. The receiver 102 has apparatus toreceive radio-frequency (RF) 110 waves with synchronization and controlinformation used to control the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles. Such receivers are well known in the art of electronics.Also on the frame 101 is a control unit 103 powered by the battery 104that transforms the continuing optical density signals into theelectronic potentials used to control the optical density of eachindividual lens. Also on the frame 101 is an on/off switch 112 thatcontrols whether the electronic circuits of the 3Deeps spectacles 101receive power (on position) from the battery or not (power off). Otherembodiments may replace RF communications with other communicationsmeans, including but not limited to infrared, or audio sound.

Two lenses are fixed in the frames—a right lens (from the movie viewer'svantage point) 105 and a left lens 106. In the preferred embodiment,each lens is made of an electrochromic material for which the opticaldensity can be reliably and precisely controlled by the application ofan electronic potential across the material. The lens has circuitry sothat the control unit 103 can independently control the transmissivityof each lens. Other embodiment may use optoelectronic materials otherthan electrochromics. A second preferred embodiment of ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles using multi-layered lenses isdisclosed starting in FIG. 5. A third preferred embodiment of ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps spectacles using single-layered lenses for a multi-useapplication is disclosed starting in FIG. 11. A fourth preferredembodiment of Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles usingmulti-layered lenses for a multi-use application is disclosed startingin FIG. 14.

For exemplary purposes, FIG. 1 shows the Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles in just one of the three states that the lenses cantake. FIG. 1 shows the right lens 105 darkened and the left lens 106 asclear with the clear lens allowing more light transmission than thedarkened lens. This is the configuration to view a motion picture with a3-dimensional effect in which the lateral motion in the motion pictureis moving from left-to-right on the viewing screen. Other embodiments ofthe invention may have Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectaclesthat fit over regular prescription glasses in a manner similar to thatin which snap-on or clip-on sunglasses are configured. In still anotherembodiment the lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3 Deeps FilterSpectacles may also be ‘prescription lenses’ customized for the viewervision impairments.

Also, while the preferred embodiment of the invention uses ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles that are wireless, other embodimentsmay use wired connections. What is required is that the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles can receive and respond tosynchronization signals from the controller, and whether that is bywired or wireless means is immaterial to the invention.

Earlier versions of 3Deeps Filter Spectacles (also called PulfrichFilter Spectacles) have been previously described in co-pending patentapplications and patents U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/274,752,U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/928,152, U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/372,723, U.S. patent applications No. 11/372,702, and U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,030,902 and 7,218,339.

There are 3 lens settings used by the Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles. One setting is that both the right 105 and left lens106 are clear. Neither lens is darkened. This is the lens state that isused in the preferred embodiment when there is no significant lateralmotion in the motion picture. The second setting is the left lens 106clear and the right lens 105 darkened. This is the lens state that isused in the preferred embodiment when foreground lateral motion in themotion picture is moving from the left to the right direction, as seenfrom the viewer's perspective. The third setting is the left lens 106darkened and the right lens 105 clear. This is the lens state that isused in the preferred embodiment when the foreground lateral motion inthe motion picture is moving from the right to the left direction, asseen from the viewer's perspective.

The lens state consisting of both left and the right lens darkened isnot used by any of the 3Deeps spectacles. However, this lens state canbe achieved by the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, andmay have uses in other embodiments of the invention. In the thirdpreferred embodiment of the invention, this lens state is used toprovide an alternate use for 3Deeps viewing spectacle—sunglasses. Inthat embodiment, ‘multi-use’ 3Deeps spectacles are switch selectable aseither (Use 1) 3Deeps viewing spectacles using the 3 lens settingsdescribed in the preceding paragraph for 3Deeps viewing, or (Use 2)sunglasses using the left and right lens darkening to a pre-set opticaldensity.

In Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, the right and leftlenses of the viewing glasses may independently take a multiplicity ofdifferent levels of darkness to achieve different effects, resulting inmany different lens states. In particular, the darkening of thenon-clear lens can be optimized according to the speed of lateral motionand/or luminance, so as to optimize the degree of 3-dimensional effect(a first optimization). Also, the Control Unit 103 can control theelectrochromic lenses so that they reach their target state in anoptimal manner (a second optimization).

Various consumer-based control units may be utilized with the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles that can both display theaudio/video of the associated motion picture, as well as perform theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles synchronization toidentify 3Deeps synchronization events and issue control signals to theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. This includes, but isnot limited to; DVD-based control units; Digital Movie Projector controlunits; Television-based control units; hand-held and operated controlunits; spectacle-based control units; software-based processing thatparses compressed digital video file and uses its motion estimationinformation (e.g. MPEG); and, cell-phone based control units.

FIG. 2 a 200 shows a left lens 106 of Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles fabricated from a single layer of electrochromicmaterial. Its fabrication using electrochromic material is shown inadjoining FIG. 2 b.

FIG. 2 b 225 shows the cross-sectional detail of the electrochromicdevice of FIG. 2 a used for fabricating the electronically controlledvariable tint material of the right and left lenses of the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. The Figure shows a typicaldual-polymer electrochromic device consisting of seven layers ofmaterial. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the right lens105 and left lens 106 of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles 100 are fabricated from such material. The first layer 201 ofthe electrochromic material 225 is a glass, plastic (or other clearinsulating material.) The second layer 202 is a conducting layer,followed by a third layer 203 of polymer. The fourth layer 204 is anelectrolytic layer that depending upon the electrochromic material maybe a liquid or gel. This layer provides the ion transport whosedirection is determined by the application of potential across theconducting layers. The fifth layer 205 is the complementary polymerlayer, followed by a sixth layer 206 of conducting material. The lastlayer 207 of the electrochromic is another insulting layer of glass,plastic or other clear insulating material.

While FIG. 2 b 225 show a typical dual-polymer electrochromic device, aspreviously indicated, there are numerous such electrochromic devices,and any electrochromic may be favorably utilized in the invention. Someelectrochromic devices may not have seven layers as shown in FIG. 2 b.For instance, some variable tint materials may be in the form of aflexible film or laminate that can be applied to a single layer of clearglass or plastic.

Also, any electronically controlled variable tint material may be usedin the invention rather than the displayed electrochromic device. Anymaterial whose optical property of transmissivity of light may becontrolled by the application of an electric potential may be favorablyuse to fabricate the lenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles 100.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram 300 of the operation of the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles of FIG. 1. All circuits on theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 101 are powered 301 bythe Power Unit 104 (if the power on/off switch 112 is in the ‘on’position), including the Control Unit 103, Signal Receiving Unit 102,the Left Lens 106, and the Right Lens 105. The control information 110is received by the Signal Receiving Unit 102 and sent 302 to the ControlUnit 103. The control unit 103 implements an algorithm that is specificfor the lens materials used in the fabrication of the Right Lens 105 andthe Left lens 106 of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles,and controls the Left Lens 106 over a control circuit 303, and the RightLens over a control circuit 305.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart 400 showing the operation of the Control Unit 103of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles of the firstpreferred embodiment. The input to the Control Unit 103 is thesynchronization signal 302. The output is the control signal sent to theleft lens 106 over the control left lens control circuit 303, and thecontrol signal sent to the right lens 105 over the right lens controlcircuit 305. The synchronization signals 302 are received and stored bythe ‘Read and Store 3Deeps Signal’ block 401 of the Control Unit 103 andstored in a LIFO (Last In First Out) memory stack 403. Control thenpasses to ‘Store and Manage Signal’ processing 405 that ‘pops’ the topof the stack (read the value and eliminates it from storage) andprocesses the synchronization signal by storing it in a ‘3Deeps Signal’memory storage 407. Processing control then passes to ‘Parse and StoreLeft and Right OD’ in which the 3Deeps signal memory storage 407 isparsed and stored in the ‘Left OD’ value 411, and the ‘Right OD’ value413. Processing then continues with the ‘Right Lens Control’ 417 inwhich the right lens value 413 is converted to an electronic signal 305that controls the optical density of the right lens. Processing thencontinues with the ‘Left Lens Control’ 415 in which the left lens value411 is converted to an electronic signal 303 that controls the opticaldensity of the left lens. Processing in the Control Unit 103 then ispassed back to the ‘Read and Store 3Deeps Signal’

It should be understood that different control circuits might beutilized by other embodiments. For instance other embodiments may haveno need for LIFO signal store and management since control of the 3Deepsspectacles is in real-time and there is no need to switch the lenses topast setting. Also, better emphasize the logical operation of thecontrol unit some functions have not been shown. For instance, thecontrol unit may ‘cycle’ at a much faster rate then the receivedsynchronization signals resulting in an ‘empty’ slack. The handling ofsuch an empty stack state is not shown in the flow diagram but would behandled as well-known in the art by detecting that the stack is emptyand passing control in the Control Unit 103 back to the ‘Read and Store3Deeps Signal’ state 401 rather than passing control as shown in theflow diagram 400.

Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles have great advantages.The control information 110 is spectacle-agnostic; i.e. all spectaclesreceive the same transmitted control information. The control unit 103on the spectacles performs a final view-spectacle-specific optimization,translating the control information into control signals specific to thelens material used to fabricate the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles. Two viewers sitting side-by-side and watching the same videoon a digital TV but wearing Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles that have lens material with totally differentcharacteristics, will each see the movie with an illusion of 3Doptimized for their spectacles.

A Second Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

FIG. 5 is a perspective view 500 of the second preferred embodiment ofthe Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 550 withmulti-layered lenses. The difference between FIG. 5 (multi-layered lens)and FIG. 1 (single layer lens) is in their respective right lens (505 ofFIG. 5), left lens (506 of FIG. 5), and control unit (503 of FIG. 5).Like numbered items in FIG. 5 and FIG. 1 have the same function anddefinition. The lenses for the second preferred embodiment (505 and 506)are described in greater detail in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, and the controlunit for the second preferred embodiment is described in greater detailin FIG. 8.

FIG. 6 a 600 shows a left lens 506 of Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles fabricated from multiple layers of electrochromicmaterial. Its fabrication using electrochromic material is shown inadjoining FIG. 6 b. Since only a single layer of insulating glassmaterial will be required between the different layers of themulti-layered electrochromic lens, the drawing of the top layer isslightly different than that of FIG. 2 a to emphasize that only onelayer of such insulating material is necessary. FIG. 6 a therefore showsthe lens 106 as two layers where the first active layer 611 is separatedby the second active layer 601 by an insulating layer 610. The firstactive layer 611 and the insulating layer 610 comprise the single layerlens 106 of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 6 b 625 shows the cross-sectional details of the multiple layeredelectrochromic device of FIG. 6 a that is used for fabricating theelectronically controlled variable tint material of the tight and leftlenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. The 7layers of the electrochromic left lens 106 of FIG. 2 b are shown in FIG.6 b as the 6 active layers 611, and the (seventh) insulating layer 201.Each layer is identical to their like numbered description accompanyingFIG. 2 b. A second active layer 6011 is included in the multi-layeredelectrochromic lens. In the second preferred embodiment of theinvention, the second layer 601 of the lens is fabricated from identicalelectrochromic material as used to fabricate the first layer 611 of theleft lens 506 so that each layer has the same Operating Characteristiccurve 900 as shown in FIG. 9. The six layers of electrochromic materialfor the second layer are identical to their like numbered descriptionaccompanying FIG. 2 b. Other embodiments may use electrochromic materialwith different material so that the two layers have different OperatingCharacteristic curves. Also, other embodiments may have more than 2layers.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram 700 of the operation of the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles of FIG. 5 using a multiple layeredelectrochromic device for fabricating the electronically controlledvariable tint material of the right 505 and left lenses 506. Allcircuits on the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 550 arepowered 301 by the battery 104, including the Control Unit 503, SignalReceiving Unit 102, the Left Lens 506, and the Right Lens 505. Thecontrol information 110 is received by the Signal Receiving Unit 102 andsent 302 to the Control Unit 503. The control unit 503 implements analgorithm that is specific for the multi-layered lens materials used inthe fabrication of the Right Lens 505 and the Left lens 506 of themulti-layered Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, andcontrols the Left Lens 506 with a control circuit 703, and the RightLens 505 with a control circuit 704.

The difference between FIG. 7 (multi-layered lens) and FIG. 3 (singlelayer lens) is in their respective right and left lenses, control units,and control circuits. For the right lens 505 and left lens 506, thelenses are fabricated from multiple layers of electrochromic material.In the second preferred embodiment of the invention these are the sameas the lens fabrication shown in FIG. 6. The control unit for themulti-layered lens 503 must control multiple layers while the controlunit for the single-layered lens 103 only need control a single layerelectrochromic lens. In this second preferred embodiment of theinvention, both layers of the multi-layered electrochromic lens are madeof the same material with the same Operating Characteristic curve andboth lenses have applied to them identical voltage across each layer.However, since there are multi-layers of material, it will be shownusing the Operating Characteristic curve of FIGS. 9 and 10, that toachieve a target optical density for each lens, the control unit 503will only need apply voltage to the multi-layers for less time than forthe single layer. For the control circuits, the multi-lens controlcircuits need to apply voltage across multiple layered assemblies, notjust a single lens assembly.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart 800 showing the operation of the Control Unit 503of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 550 using amultiple layered electrochromic device for fabricating theelectronically controlled variable tint material of the right lens 505and left lens 506. This flow chart 800 is very similar to the flow chartof the control unit for the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles using a single layered electrochromic device of FIG. 4. Thememory storage ‘LIFO Signal Stack’ 403, ‘3Deeps Signal’ 407, ‘Left OD’411, and ‘Right OD’ 413 are the same as previously described for FIG. 4.The processing modules ‘Read & Store 3Deeps Signal’ 401, ‘Store andManage 3Deeps Signal’ 405, and ‘Parse and Store Left and Right OD’ 409are the same as previously described for FIG. 4. The difference betweenFIG. 4 and FIG. 8 is in the ‘Left Lens Multilayer’ circuitry 815 and theleft lens 506 that the circuit controls, and in the ‘Right LensMultilayer Control’ circuitry 817 and the right lens 505 that thecircuit controls. In this multi-layer embodiment of the invention, the‘Left Lens Multilayer’ circuitry 815 must control two layers of theelectrochromic left lens 506, and the ‘Right Lens Multilayer’ circuitry817 must control two layers of the electrochromic right lens 505. Itwill be shown later in FIGS. 9 and 10 that the target optical densitiesfor the left lens 411 and the right lens 409 can be achieved morerapidly.

This approach has the same advantages as for single-layer ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. The control information 110 isspectacle-agnostic; i.e. all spectacles receive the same transmittedcontrol information. The control unit 503 on the spectacles performs afinal view-spectacle-specific optimization, translating the controlinformation into control signals specific to the multi-layered lensmaterial used to fabricate the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles. Two viewers sitting side-by-side and watching the same videoon a digital TV but wearing Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles that have lens material with totally differentcharacteristics, will each see the movie with an illusion of 3Doptimized for their spectacles. It also has the additional advantagethat since a multi-layer lens is used, the transition time betweenoptical density states will be faster than the corresponding transitiontime for a single-layer lens.

The second preferred embodiment of the Optical Density ContinuingAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles use electrochromic lenses.Additional detail about Electrochromism is now provided.

Electrochromism is the phenomenon displayed by some chemicals ofreversibly changing color when an electric potential is applied.Electrochromism has a history dating back to the nineteenth century andthere are thousands of chemical systems that have already beenidentified electrochromic. A narrow definition limits electrochromicdevices to chemical processes for which there is a ‘redox’ reaction thatundergo an electron uptake ‘reduction’ or electron release whenpotential is applied and the reverse or ‘oxidation’ with a reversepotential. Most ‘redox’ processes are electrochromic and are candidateelectrochromes and potential 3Deeps lenses. While the preferredembodiments of this invention use such narrowly defined electrochromicdevices, any device for which the transmission of light may becontrolled by an electronic potential may be utilized in the invention.For instance, Liquid Crystal Device (LCD) lenses may be used in theinvention since they may be controlled by an electronic potential, eventhough they use a totally different mechanism to control the opticalproperties of the material. LCDs rely on an interference effect (blockthe transmission of light), while the narrow definition ofelectrochromic device is limited to materials that rely on a ‘redox’reaction to change the color of the material. Either ‘redox’ or LCDmaterial, or any material for which the transmission of light may becontrolled by an electronic potential can be advantageously utilized inthe invention.

There are many different families of chemicals that exhibit suchproperties—both organic and inorganic. These include but are not limitedto polyaniline, viologens, polyoxotungstates's and tungsten oxide.Oxides of many transition metals are electrochromic including cerium,chromium, cobalt, copper, iridium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel,niobium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten,and vanadium. Within each family, different ‘mixtures’ of chemicalsproduce different properties that affect the color, transmissivity, andtransition time. Some electrochromics may only affect ultravioletlight—not visible light—appearing clear to an observer since they do notaffect visible light. Electrochromics have been the object of intensestudy for over 40 years, and have found their chief commercial successfor use in ‘smart windows’ where they can reliably control the amount oflight and heat allowed to pass through windows, and has also been usedin the automobile industry to automatically tint rear-view mirrors invarious lighting conditions.

Other embodiments of the inventions may advantageously usemultiple-color electrochromic devices or materials that exhibitelectropolychromism. Some electrochromic devices may take a whole seriesof different colors, each colored state generated at a characteristicapplied potential. One example is methyl viologen, which has electionpotential states that are correspondingly colorless, blue, andred-brown. Electrochromic viologens have been synthesized with as manyas six different colors.

The operating characteristics of each formulation of any of thethousands of different electrochromic material will be different. Someof the operating characteristics that should be considered whenselecting materials for 3Deeps lenses include; Response time (the timerequired to change from its clear to darkened state or vice versa);Power consumption; Memory effect (when power is off between write cyclesthere is no ‘redox’ process and the electrochromic material retains itsoptical properties); Coloration efficiency (the amount of electrochromicdarkening formed by the charge); Cycle life (The number of write-erasecycles that can be performed before any noticeable degradation hasoccurred); and, write-erase efficiency (the fraction of the originallyformed darkening that can be subsequently electro-cleared. For 3Deepsviewing spectacles this should be 100%).

The operating characteristics of each formulation of any of the 1000s ofdifferent electrochromic material will be different. FIG. 9 shows atypical Operating Characteristic curve relating transmissivity (%transmission of light) to transmission time when a potential of 2 voltsis applied across the electrochromic device. Some electrochromicmaterials may take several seconds to change state from one opticaldensity to another—others may be near instantaneous. For manyelectrochromic materials the color change is persistent and electricpotential need only be applied to effect a change. For such ‘persistent’optoelectronic materials, only an electronic on-off pulse is needed,while non-persistent materials require the application of a continuingelectronic potential. Other materials may attain state under thepresence of electric potential, but then slowly ‘leak’ and change back.These materials may require a maintenance potential to maintain statebut one that is different from that to attain the optical density state.

The second preferred embodiment of the Continuing Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles is fabricated from a persistent electrochromicmaterial (material that has a so-called memory effect) that takes up to1.85 seconds to change state from its lightest to darkest opticaldensity, and up to 1.85 seconds to change state from its lightest todarkest optical density. In moving between states the preferredembodiment will always seek to optimize transition time.

While electrochromic material is used in the second preferred embodimentof the optical density Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles,any optoelectronic materials that change optical density in response toan applied potential may be used. This includes but is not limited toPDLCs (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal devices) or SPDs (SuspendedParticle Devices.) In the future, new optoelectronic materials will bediscovered and may be advantageously used in the practice of thisinvention.

FIG. 9 is a transition time curve 900 for a single layer ofelectrochromic material with transition time as a function oftransmissivity when a potential of 2.0V is applied to the electrochromicmaterial. It is for a ‘slow’ electrochromic material with transitiontime 902 as a function of transmissivity 901 (or percent transmission oflight). This transition time curve 900) has a ‘lightest’ state 906 witha transmissivity of 100% density (clear) and its darkest state 905 is 0%in which all light is blocked from passing through the electrochromicmaterial. The electrochromic material cannot however attain either ofthe extreme values (0% or 100%) of transmissivity. The OperatingCharacteristic curve 903 shows a material that can attain about 99%transmissivity 904 (almost clear) and 10% transmissivity 915 (almostdark). The material can then take any optical density in between theblocking only 1% of the light (99% transmissivity) and blocking 90% oflight (10% transmissivity) by the application of 2V for the properlength of time. If the material is in its clearest state 904, and, and a2V potential is applied to the material, it will take about 1.8 secondsto change state and achieve its darkest state 91.5 or 10%transmissivity. This is shown on the transition time curve 903 of theOperating Characteristic of the material in FIG. 9.

As another example, if the material is in its clearest state 904, andthe control signal 110 received on the frames receiving unit 102indicates that the subject lens should change to an optical densityassociated with transmissivity of 70% 923, then the transition timecurve 903 would be implemented by the control unit 103 to apply 2Vpotential to the lens for 1.35 seconds. A value of 70% 923transmissivity intercepts the Operating Characteristic curve 903 at apoint on the curve 921 that corresponds to a transition time 922 of 1.35seconds. Once a potential of 2V has been applied for 1.35 seconds, nopotential need further be applied since the electrochromic lens will‘latch’ in the new state.

This is an example of how an algorithm implemented in the Control Unit103 of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles with a singlelayer of lens material (FIG. 1-4) would use the transition time curve903 to control the right lens 105 and the left lens 106. To transition alens from and optical density associated with a clear state 904 to theoptical density associated with a transmissivity of 70% the Control Unit103 would apply 2V potential to the lens for 1.35 seconds.

This is a simplified example for illustrative and teaching purposes.Other electrochromic materials may have other operating characteristicsthat have characteristic exponential, negative exponential, or logistic(s-shaped) relationships. In this example, 2V potential is used to movebetween states. It is used under the assumptions that (a) for thiselectrochromic formulation the higher the electronic potential the morerapid will be the change from a lighter to a darker optical density, and(b) change of state from a lighter to a darker optical density is to beoptimized. Other materials may require different potentials to beapplied to move from between states. In any of these cases, theprinciple of operation is identical and the Control Unit 103 on theframes of the lenses uses the operating characteristics of the materialused in the right 105 and left 106 lenses to determine the potential andthe length of time the potential is to be applied to transition betweenlens control states.

FIG. 10 is a transition time curve 1000 for a double layer (multi-layer)of electrochromic material with transition tine as a function oftransmissivity. FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 with the addition of asecond Operating Characteristic curve 1003. The numbered elements ofFIG. 10 have the same description as their like numbered elements ofFIG. 9. The Operating Characteristic curve for the double layer 1003(multi-layer) lenses of the preferred embodiment are shown along withthe Operating Characteristic curve of the single layer 903 to betteremphasize the transition time Benefit and Loss of using the double layerof electrochromic material. The example shows that doubling the lensmaterial results in a 44% decrease in Transmission Time (Benefit) whenmoving from a clear to a 70% transmissivity state for only a 1% loss inthe Clear State (Loss).

As an example, if the multi-layer material is in its clearest state1015, and the control signal 110 received on the frames receiving unit102 indicates that the subject lens should change to an optical densityassociated with transmissivity of 70% 923, then the transition timecurve 1003 would be implemented by the control unit 503 to apply 2Vpotential to the lens for 0.75 seconds. A value of 70% 923transmissivity intercepts the Operating Characteristic curve 1003 at apoint on the curve 1011 that corresponds to a transition time 1012 of0.75 seconds. Once a potential of 2V has been applied for 0.75 seconds,no potential need further be applied since the electrochromic lens will‘latch’ in the new state.

In summary, for a single layer lens then, to move from a clear state toa 70% transmissivity state 2V potential is applied for 1.35 seconds to asingle layer material. For the double layer lens of the preferredembodiment to move from a clear state to a 70% transmissivity state 2Vpotential is applied for 0.75 seconds. Using two layers ofelectrochromic material results in a beneficial 44% decrease intransmission time for only a 1% loss in the clear state.

A Third Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

It has previously been observed in this disclosure that—“The lens stateconsisting of both left and the right lens darkened is not used by anyof the 3Deeps spectacles.” The third preferred embodiment of theinvention uses this lens state that is not used by any of various 3Deepsspectacles previously described, and extends the first preferredembodiment (single layer Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles)so they may also be switch selectable to function as sunglasses.

In particular, a switch 1101 is added to the Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles described in FIG. 1. In a first switch positionthe spectacles operate precisely as described in the first preferredembodiment. In a second switch position the spectacles operate assunglasses. Toggling the switch changes the spectacles to operate withthe switched characteristics. The lenses of the third preferredembodiment are single-layer, and are precisely the same as described inFIG. 2 a and FIG. 2 b. The control unit 103 of the first preferredembodiment is modified and presented as a new Control Unit 1103. Thiscontrol unit takes as an additional input the position of the selectionSwitch 1101. If the Switch is positioned so the spectacles operate asContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles then the Control Unitcontrols the lenses of the spectacles in precisely the same fashion asprevious described in FIG. 4. If the Switch is positioned so that thespectacles operate as sunglasses, then the Control Unit controls thelenses so that they both take the same pre-specified dark opticaldensity and operate as ordinary sunglasses.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view 1100 of the third preferred embodiment ofthe Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 1150 withsingle-layered lenses. The difference between the single-layered lensesof FIG. 1 and FIG. 11 is that in the third preferred embodiment aselection Switch 1101 has been added to the spectacles, and the controlunit 1103 has been expanded to include control of the sunglasses. Alllike numbered items in FIG. 11 and FIG. 1 have the same function anddefinition. The selection switch 1101 may take either of two positions.In the first position, the spectacles will operate as ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles precisely as described in the firstpreferred embodiment. In the second position, the spectacles willoperate as sunglasses.

The third preferred embodiment uses lenses identical to the lenses usedin the first preferred embodiment and described in FIG. 2 a and FIG. 2b.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram 1200 of the operation of the ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 1150 of FIG. 11 using a singlelayered electrochromic device for fabricating the electronicallycontrolled variable tint material of the right 105 and left lenses 106.All circuits on the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 1150are powered 301 by the battery 104, including the Control Unit 1103,Signal Receiving Unit 102, the Left Lens 106, and the Right Lens 105.The control information 110 is received by the Signal Receiving Unit 102and sent 302 to the Control Unit 1103. The switch 1101 position is alsopowered 301 by the battery 104, and its position is output to theControl Unit 1103. The Control Unit 1103 implements an algorithm that isspecific for the multi-use (Use 1: 3Deeps spectacles or Use 2:sunglasses) single-layered Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles, and controls the Left Lens 106 with a control circuit 1203,and the Right Lens 105 with a control circuit 1205.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart 1300 showing the operation of the Control Unit1103 of the multi-use Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles1150 with single-layered lenses. The switch position 1202 is input tothe Control Unit 1103 and processing commences with ‘Switch 1 or Switch2?’ 1370 that can parse the switch position and determine which positionthe Switch 1101 is in. If the Switch position is in the first positionthen the control processing 103 is used. This is the same as the controlprocessing for the First Preferred Embodiment and is described in FIG.4. Only the input and output to the control processing 103 is shown inFIG. 13—not the details of the processing that is the same as shown inFIG. 4. If the Switch position is in the second position then thecontrol processing 1241) for sunglasses is used. Pre-selected Opticaldensities for the left lens 106 and right lens 105 are stored in thecontroller as the ‘Left OD’ 1311 and the ‘Right OD’ 1313. First the‘Right OD’ 1313 is read by the ‘Right Lens Control’ processing 1317 andan electronic signal is issued on circuit 1205 to change the Right Lens105 to that associated Optical Density. Processing then passes to the‘Left Lens Control’ 1315 that reads the pre-stored value ‘Left OD’ 1311and an electronic signal is issued on circuit 1203 to change the LeftLen 106 to that associated value.

This exemplary Control Unit 1103 has been purposely simplified forclarity and to show the principles of the control operation. It showstwo separate control circuits—the first 103 for control of ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, and the second 1240 for control ofsunglasses. The Control Unit 1103 has two separate memory storages forthe Left and Right optical densities. It should be understood that goodengineering design would reuse as much circuitry as possible for twocontrolling functions of the Control Unit 1103. So for instance, anotherimplementation of the Control Unit 1103 may only have a single memorystorage for the Left and Right optical densities that are used by boththe circuitry controlling the 3Deeps Filter Spectacles and the circuitrycontrolling the sunglasses.

A Fourth Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In the second preferred embodiment of the invention the right and leftlenses of the 3Deeps spectacles are fabricated from multiple layers ofthe same electrochromic material. In a fourth preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the lenses are fabricated from two layers withelectrochromic devices that have different optical characteristics. Inthis fourth preferred embodiment of the invention the first layer ofelectrochromic uses the same material to fabricate the lenses as haspreviously been described—a neutral density filters that block thetransmission of light approximately equally along the entire visiblespectrum. The second layer uses electrochromic material that can beelectronically controlled so the left lens is clear or can be set toallow transmission of light in the visible red spectrum and the rightlens is clear or can be set to allow the transmission of light in thevisible blue spectrum. The two layers of material are switch selectableso that either of the layers may be activated, but not both layers atthe same time. These Multi-Use Electrically Controlled ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles thus are switch selectable so theycan be used to watch 2D (single image viewed by right and left eyes)movies in 3D using the 3Deeps methodology or alternatively to watchspecially made 3D movies (separate left and right images) formatted foranaglyph 3D viewing.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view 1400 of the fourth preferred embodiment ofthe Multi-Use Electrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles 1450. Like numbered items in FIG. 5 and FIG. 1 havethe same function and definition. The primary difference between thisembodiment and previous embodiments is in the use of differentelectrochromic devices for the layers of the lenses (described furtherin FIG. 15 a and FIG. 15 b), and in the Control Unit 1403 that controlsthe operation of the spectacles based on the position of the Switch1101. The toggle switch 1101 allows either the first layer 41 of themulti-use 3Deeps spectacles 1450 to be activated (3Deeps method ofviewing 3D) or it allows the second layer 1501 of the multi-use 3Deepsspectacles to be activated (anaglyph 3D viewing.) In this fourthpreferred embodiment of the invention, only one layer may be activatedat a time. Other embodiments may allow more than one layer of materialto be active at one time. The control unit 1403 has all thefunctionality of control unit 103 when the first layer is active. Whenthe first layer is active both lenses of the second layer are set totheir clear state. When the second layer of is activated the controlunit 1403 will run a control program specific to the control of anaglyph3D viewing. In particular when the second layer is activated foranaglyph viewing, both lenses of the first layer of material are set totheir clear state, and the left lens 1406 of the second layer is set toa red and the right lens 1405 of the second layer is set to blue. Thisstate is maintained throughout the viewing of the anaglyph 3D movie andno additional switch of state is required of the control program as isthe case with 3Deeps viewing. In this way the left lens is red and theright lens is blue as required for anaglyph 3D movies.

FIG. 15 a 1500 shows a left lens 1006 of Multi-Use ElectricallyControlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles fabricatedfrom multiple layers of electrochromic material. Its fabrication usingelectrochromic material is shown in adjoining FIG. 15 b. Since only asingle layer of insulating glass material will be required between thedifferent layers of the multi-layered electrochromic lens, the drawingof the top layer is slightly different than that of FIG. 2 a toemphasize that only one layer of such insulating material is necessary.FIG. 15 a therefore shows the lens 1006 as two layers where the firstactive layer 411 is separated by the second active layer 1501 by aninsulating layer 410. The first active layer 411 and the insulatinglayer 410 comprise the single layer lens 106 of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 15 b 1525 shows the cross-sectional details of the Multi-useelectrochromic device of FIG. 15 a for fabricating the electronicallycontrolled variable tint material of the right and left lenses of theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles using multiple layers ofelectrochromic material. The 7 layers of the electrochromic left lens106 of FIG. 2 a are shown in FIG. 15 b as the 6 active layers 411, andthe (seventh) insulating layer 201. Each layer is identical to theirlike numbered description accompanying FIG. 2 b. A second active layer1501 is included in the multi-layered electrochromic lens. In thisfourth preferred embodiment of the invention, the second layer 1501 ofthe lens is fabricated from electrochromic material that is totallydifferent from the neutral density electrochromic material of the firstlayer. This second layer of electrochromic material will have its ownOperating Characteristic curve and electronically control properties oflight differently from that of the first layer.

In particular, FIG. 15 b shows the left lens 1406 of the Multi-UseElectrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacleswith a second layer of electrochromic material. The second layer isfabricated from electrochromic material that can be electronicallycontrolled to allow the transmission of light in the clear or visiblered spectrum. (A right lens that is not shown would be fabricated fromelectrochromic material that can be electronically controlled to allowthe transmission of light in the clear or visible blue spectrum.) Thesecond multi-layer of electrochromics of the multi-use lens is made from6 layers of material. The top layer 1501 is made from an insulting layerof glass, plastic or other clear insulating material. This is followedby layer 1502 of a conducting layer, followed by a third layer 1603 ofpolymer. A fourth layer 1504 provides the ion transport whose directionis determined by the application of potential across the conductinglayers. The fifth layer 1505 is the complementary polymer layer, and isthen followed by another conducting layer 1506. The polymer layers 1503and complimentary polymer layer 1505 provide the electronicallycontrollable tinting of the lens as either clear or red. The rightlens—not shown—would have polymer and complimentary polymer layers toprovide electronically controllable tinting for the right lens as eitherclear or blue.

TABLE 1 shows the different types of Optoelectronic materials that maybe used in the fabrication of Multi-Use Electrically ControlledContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. The first column of theTABLE 1 is a numbering of the methods—but no preference is to attributedto the ordering. The ‘Method Number’ is used for reference in thedisclosure. The second column of TABLE 1 labeled ‘Viewing Method’ and isthe type of viewing that may be attained through the use of theassociated optoelectronic device that is described in the third columnof TABLE 1. The third column of TABLE 1 labeled ‘OptoElectronic Device’is a brief description of the controllable optical characteristicnecessary to achieve the associated viewing method.

TABLE 1 Method No. Viewing Method OptoElectronic Device 1 3Deeps movies(2D images Single or multi-layers variable viewed as 3D) tint device 2Anaglyph 3D movies Right Lens Blue; Left Len Red device 3 Intru3D 3Dmovies Right Lens Blue; Left Lens Amber device 4 Optimum emissive colorsOptimized to emissive colors of TV phosphors of TV (for Methods 1, 2, 3)5 Polarized Lenses 3D movies Right and left lenses at 90% polarizationdevice 6 Vision Correction Near- or far-sightedness correction device 7Shutter glasses Rapid shuttering between clear and totally dark device 8Sunglasses Single layer variable tint device 9 Optical property of lightElectro Optical control of a property (or properties) of light

With respect to the Method No. 1 of the table, the use of anelectrochromic optoelectronic device for viewing 3Deeps movies with asingle-layer of variable tint lenses has been previously described inthe first preferred embodiment of the invention, and the use of anelectrochromic optoelectronic device for viewing 3Deeps movies withmulti-layers of variable tint lenses has been previously described inthe second preferred embodiment of the invention. With respect to MethodNo. 2 of the table, the use of an electrochromic optoelectronic devicefor viewing anaglyph 3D movies (left lens red and right lens blue) withMulti-Use Electrically Controlled 3Deeps Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles has been previously described in the third preferredembodiment of the invention.

The Multi-Use Electrically Controlled 3Deeps Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles described may also replace the layers ofmaterials described or add additional layers of materials (withcorresponding changes to the manual switches of the spectacles and thecontrol program) to achieve other methods of electronically assistedviewing spectacles. Such methods may include; Intru3D 3D movies (MethodNo. 3) with left lens amber and right lens blue; optoelectronic devices(Method No. 4) that are tuned to the optimum emissive colors of a TVphosphor; optoelectronic devices (Method No. 5) that allow viewing of 3Dmovies using polarized lenses in which the right and left lenses havepolarizations that are perpendicular to each other; optoelectronicdevices that provide prescription glasses that correct vision such asnear- or far-sightedness (Method No. 6); optoelectronic devices thatallow viewing of 3D movies by the shutter glass method (Method No. 7) inwhich there is rapid shuttering between a clear and totally dark statefor one eye, while the other eye has corresponding states of totallydark and clear in synchronization with right and left images of thedisplayed motion picture. The spectacles have a layer (Method No. 8)that when activated provides sunglasses. Any other optical property oflight that can be beneficially controlled by an optoelectronic device(Method No. 9) can be used as a layer of the Multi-Use ElectricallyControlled 3Deeps Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. Insome embodiments of the invention several methods may be operable at thesame time as when Vision correction optoelectronics (Method No. 6) isactive at the same time as any of the methods for viewing 3D movies.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram 1600 of the operation of the multi-useContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 1450 with multi-layeredlenses. All circuits on the multi-use Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles 1450 are powered 301 by the battery 104, including theControl Unit 1403, Signal Receiving Unit 102, the Left Lens 1406, andthe Right Lens 1405. The control information 110 is received by theSignal Receiving Unit 102 and sent 302 to the Control Unit 1403. Theswitch 1101 position is also powered 301 by the battery 104, and itsposition is output 1202 to the Control Unit 1403. The Control Unit 1403implements an algorithm that is specific for the multi-use (Use 1:3Deeps spectacles or Use 2: Anaglyph 3D viewing) multi-layeredContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles, and controls the LeftLens 1406 with a control circuit 1603, and the Right Lens 1405 with acontrol circuit 1605.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart 1700 showing the operation of the Control Unit1403 of the Multi-Use Electrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable3Deeps Filter Spectacles 1450 with multi-layered electrochromic lenses.The switch position 1202 is input to the Control Unit 1403. Processingcommences with ‘Change both right and left lens of layer 1 and 2 toclear’ 1761 by switching both the right lens 1505 and left lens 1506 ofthe first electrochromic layer 411 and the second electrochromic layer1501 to clear. Processing is then transferred to a control circuit‘Switch 1 Or Switch 2?’1763 that can parse the switch position anddetermine which position the Switch 1101 is in. If the Switch positionis in the first position (3Deeps viewing) then a first controlprocessing unit 103 is used to control the first layer 411 of the lensesof the Multi-Use Electrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles 1450. If the Switch position is in the second position(anaglyph viewing) then a second control processing unit 103 a that issimilar to the control processing unit 103 shown in FIG. 4) is used tocontrol the second layer 1501 of the lenses of the Multi-UseElectrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles1450.

The two control processing units 103 and 103 a of the Control Unit 1403are the same as the control processing unit for the First PreferredEmbodiment and is described in FIG. 4. The first control processing unitcontrols the spectacles for 3Deeps viewing and the second controlprocessing unit control the spectacles for anaglyph 3D viewing. Only theinput and output to the control processing 103 is shown in FIG. 17—notthe details of the processing that is the same as shown in FIG. 4.

If the Switch position is in the first position then the controlprocessing unit electronically synchronizes to the movie using 3Deepstechnology by controlling the left 1406 and right lenses 1405 of thefirst layer 411 of the multi-use Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles 1450 over the control circuits for the left lens 1603 andcontrol circuit for the right lens 1605. In this case the second layer1501 has been set so both right and left lenses of the second layer areclear. If the Switch position is in the second position then the controlprocessing unit electronically controls the 3Deeps spectacles foranaglyph 3D viewing by switching the left lens 1406 to red and rightlens 1405 to blue of the second layer 1501 of the multi-use ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles 1450 over the control circuits forthe left lens 1603 and control circuit for the right lens 1605. In thiscase the first layer 411 has been set so both right and left lenses ofthe first layer are clear.

This exemplary Control Unit 1403 has been purposely simplified forclarity and to show the principles of the control operation. It showstwo separate control circuits 103 and 103 a—the first 103 controlcircuit for control of Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles(first layer 411), and the second 103 a control circuit for anaglyph 3Dviewing (second layer 1501). FIG. 17 shows each circuit 103 and 103 awith its own circuits for control of the left lens 1406 and control ofthe right lens 1405. It should be understood that good engineeringdesign would reuse as much circuitry as possible for two controllingfunctions of the Control Unit 1403.

TABLE 2 shows control information for Multi-Use Electrically ControlledContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. Such control informationis necessary when the Multi-Use Electrically Controlled ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles are under remote control rather thana manually control 1101 as shown in FIG. 14.

TABLE 2 Method Control No. Viewing Method Code Control Information 13Deeps movies Ctrl-1 Optical Density for left (2D images viewed andright lens as 3D) 2 Anaglyph 3D movies Ctrl-2 None 3 Intru3D 3D moviesCtrl-3 None 4 Optimum emissive colors Ctrl-4 Real-time setting ofoptical of TV phosphors density of right and left lens (for Methods 1,2, 3) 5 Polarized Lenses 3D Ctrl-5 None movies 6 Vision correctionCtrl-6 Real-time optical property of density of right and left lens 7Shutter glasses Ctrl-7 Shutter synchronization 8 Sunglasses Ctrl-8Real-time setting of sunglass color of right and left lens 9 Opticalproperty of light Ctrl-9 Optical property of right and left lens

Control information for Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacleshas been previously shown in the related patent application Ser. No.12/274,752. In that related disclosure no multi-layer or multi-useinformation was required of the spectacle control protocol since theContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles had only a single-layerand a single-use. With Multi-Use Electrically Controlled ContinuousAdjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles that are under remote control, acontrol code sequence may be transmitted to signal the Control Unit1403—which layer of the multi-layered spectacles the controllinginformation references.

The first column of the TABLE 2 is a numbering of the methods—but nopreference is to attributed to the ordering. The ‘Method Number’ is usedfor reference in the disclosure. The second column of TABLE 2 labeled‘Viewing Method’ identifies the viewing method. Columns 1 and 2 of TABLE2 are the same as in the like labeled column of TABLE 1. The thirdcolumn of TABLE 2 labeled ‘Control Code’ has the control code in the RFsequence that is utilized by the Control Unit 1403 to switch control tothe associated lens. For instance, when the Multi-Use ElectricallyControlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles of FIG. 10,receive a ‘Ctrl-2’ sequence it switch to control of the associatedmethod—in this can ‘Anaglyph 3D movies’. Once the Multi-Use ElectricallyControlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles have receiveda ‘Control Code’ sequence, all the control information that then followswill be interpreted to control the associated method. In the currentexample where a ‘Ctrl-2’ sequence is received switching the spectaclesinto ‘Anaglyph 3D’ mode, all follow-on control information received bythe spectacles would be interpreted to as controlling the ‘Anaglyph 3D’spectacle method and lens layer. Such follow-on control informationreferences the ‘switched’ method until another control-code is received.

A description of the contents of the Follow-on control informationassociated with each of the viewing methods is indicated in column 4 ofthe table, labeled ‘Control Information’. When the Control Unit 1403 ofthe spectacles receive a ‘Ctrl-2’ sequence indicating it is to switch toanaglyph mode, the control unit 1403 changes the left lens 1406 to a redand the right lens 1405 to a blue color. The spectacles stay in thismode until another CTRL-code is received switching the spectacles toanother method. Since the ‘Anaglyph’ method, activated by Control Code,‘CTRL-2’ requires no further or follow-on controlling information, theentry for ‘Anaglyph in the ‘Control Information’ column is ‘None’indicating that no further control information is required for theAnaglyph mode. Similarly, no additional control information is requiredfor Intru3D 3D movies; and, Polarized lenses. Control Information isrequired for methods 3Deeps Movies; Optimum emissive colors of TV;Vision correction; shutter glasses; sunglasses; and, Optical Property ofLight.

The control information that is received wirelessly 102 by the Multi-UseElectrically Controlled Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectaclesof FIG. 14 may be transmitted by any of the means disclosed in therelated patent applications including but not limited to; DVD-basedcontrol units; Digital Movie Projector control units; Television-basedcontrol units, hand-held and operated control units; spectacle-basedcontrol units, and cell-phone based control units.

Other Embodiments

While the preferred embodiments have been described using electrochromicmaterials, other electro-optical (optoelectronics) materials may beutilized. Any material for which the optical properties can becontrolled by the application of a potential across the material may beadvantageously used in the invention.

While the preferred embodiment uses 2 layers of electrochromicmaterials, even faster switching time can be achieved by using 3 or morelayers.

While the preferred embodiment uses the same voltage applied to each ofthe multi-layers of the lenses, other embodiments may achieve controlover the switching time to the optical optimal density by theapplication of different voltage across each layer of the multi-layeredlenses of the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter spectacles.

In some embodiments of the invention, several different layers ofmulti-use-electronic materials may be switch selectable and active atthe same time to achieve different optical effects. For instanceelectronically controllable vision correction may be combined withContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filtering to provide a single pair ofviewing spectacles that both correct vision while at the same timeproviding optimal 3Deeps viewing of 2D motion pictures as 3D motionpictures.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, rather than useelectrochromic materials that have the same optical properties(transmission OC curve), materials with different optical properties maybe beneficially utilized.

As lenses get older their OC curve may change. In another embodiment thecontrol program may tune the control OC curve based on age or time ofuse so that the spectacles do not appear to degrade in performance asthey get older.

The switch selection for the Multi-Use Electrically ControlledContinuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles was shown on thespectacles. Alternatively, the switch selection can be activated by theviewing media by broadcasting a Rx signal that is picked up by thereceiving unit of the 3Deeps spectacles 102, passed to the control unitof the spectacles, and which are read and acted upon by the controlprogram that controls the operation of the spectacles. For instance, acontrol code at the beginning of an anaglyph motion picture may allowthe spectacles to respond by taking the proper configuration for viewingof anaglyph 3D encoded motion pictures without any manual interventionby the viewer.

In other embodiment of the invention the multi-layered or multi-uselenses may be in the form of clip-on lenses that readily fit over normalprescription lenses.

In still another embodiment of the invention, multi-use 3Deeps viewingspectacles are fabricated from a single layer of an electropolychromismdevice.

Previous related patent applications (such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,508,485)have disclosed systems and methods by which a motion estimation valuethat characterizes movement in a frame of a 2D motion picture may beextracted from successive frames of the motion picture. The motionestimation value and a luminance value are used to calculate an opticaldensity for the lens of the Pulfrich Filter spectacles and aretransmitted to the Pulfrich Filter spectacles. The transmitted valuesare used to control the optical density of the lenses of the PulfrichFilter spectacles. In still another embodiments of the invention, themotion estimation value is calculated from the motion estimation valuesthat are part of the MPEG digital video compression standards.

In another embodiment of the invention, the 3Deeps electrochromicsunglasses have additional variable brightness controls. In one case,the sunglasses have means by which the user can set the darkness levelof the sunglasses. That is, rather than a have Pre-selected opticaldensities value for the left lens and right lens stored in the controlunit (as in FIG. 13, the optical density value of the lenses of thesunglasses is under the control of the user. A rotary or slide switchcould be utilized to select any optical density between the low and highvalues of the switch. In another embodiment a multi-pole switch is usedso that user can select one of a set of pre-selected optical densitiesfor the lenses of the sunglasses.

In another embodiment of the invention the 3Deeps electrochromicsunglasses, the variable brightness of the lenses of the sunglassesoperate similarly as an electrochromic version of photochromatic lenses.That is, the optical density of the 3Deeps sunglasses is set inaccordance with a continuum of the ambient surrounding light. In lowlight (dark) there would be a minimum of little or not darkening of thelenses, while in intense sunlight such as at noon on a cloudless sunnyday the lenses would take an extreme dark value. Lighting situationsin-between would result in the optical density values for the lensesin-between the minimum and maximum values. This could be achieved forinstance by incorporating a photodiode on the 3Deeps spectacles thatmeasures the ambient light at the spectacle frames, and inputs thatvalue to the control unit on the spectacles.

In another embodiment of the invention, the Continuous Adjustable 3DeepsFilter Spectacles may not respond to every synchronization signal. Whilesome electrochromic materials may have been reported that have a cyclelife of up to 50 million changes—and even higher values can beobtained—if the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles are madefrom a material with a shortened cycle life it may be necessary to alsoadditionally consider and optimize for the operation of the spectaclesfor the cycle life. While the synchronization signals would still bebroadcast for every frame, the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles may be set to only process and respond to some of thosechanges so as efficiently use cycle life. This make sense, as scenesthat exhibit movement may be on the order of 10-30 seconds long, orlonger, and the same optical density setting will provide a near-optimalsetting for the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps Filter Spectacles. Toaddress cycle time then, the Continuous Adjustable 3Deeps FilterSpectacles may use a combination of ad-hoc rules such as (a) respondingonly to every nth synchronization event; (b) responding to onlysynchronization events with changes to the optical density of more thana pre-set percent; (c) responding to synchronization events in whichthere is a change to direction of motion; (d) responding tosynchronization events in which there is a change in presence or absenceof motion; (e) scene change, or (f) some other motion picture frameevent.

1. Multi-Use, electronically controlled spectacles, comprising: aspectacle frame; optoelectronic lenses housed in the frame, each of thelenses having multiple layers of optoelectronic material; and a controlunit housed in the frame, the control unit controlling each of thelayers in the lenses such that the spectacles have multiple uses.
 2. Thespectacles of Claim 1, wherein the multiple users are two or more usesselected from the group consisting of 3 D movies, anaglyph 3 D moves,Intru 3D 3D movies, Optimum emissive colors, polarized lenses, visioncorrection, shutter glasses, sunglasses, and optical property of light.